Hi everyone --

Been so busy at work and at home. We've had company seems like non-stop since mid-April, and DMIL who is with us now, will be here until mid-July. That's okay though, we love to have her here. Work has been busy and stressful, and I've also been VERY busy with freelance work.

Found out from the doc that my thyroid isn't working enough....he wants to wait a couple weeks to see if it was just a fluke, and if not, may have to go on meds. Maybe that's why I've been so dang tired....or maybe it's just all the hours working. When I do have time to go to the gym, I haven't had the energy -- I've only exercised a few times in the last few weeks.

I've put back on a couple of the pounds I lost in the contest. I want to get back to the gym regularly as I felt so strong when I was going. Hopefully, I'll feel better soon so I can get back in the swing.

I hope you all, and your loved ones, are doing well. I miss you all.

Just a quick note. Couldn't get on last night because of thunderstorm

Tonight having a Palestinian and an Israeli woman who lost relatives to the violence there speak. This is the first event in Lawrence co-sponsored by the Islamic Center and the Jewish Community Center. Also the usual suspects such as the LCPJ, the Quakers etc.

Hello Ladies,

Thin - Glad you made it home safely. I'm sure it was exciting taking a new route home. I have never been up that way, SD or Wyo. Wyo. is definitely one place I want to visit. I'm sure with you being back home you'll soon get back on track with your walking. Hope you get unpacked and setled in soon.

Mitchellez - It's great to hear from you too. Sounds like you have had some very busy months. Hopefully you'll get some good test results on your thyroid test. Did you get all settled into your new house. I hope you can drop by more often.

Cat - we've haven't had that much rain here. Hope you have a good turnout tonight.

I can't believe this month is almost over and I still haven't started exercising. My goal was to start back this month, so i guess I really need to get going.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Hi Ladies,

Thin -- You left just in time, it is going to be 105 today and by Sunday 113. I am happy you had a wonderful trip back home. Too bad you can't send some of the cold weather back here.

Michelle -- Wow, it's been a long time but you are on my mind quite often. It's great to have you stop in. You never did share how you and your hubby did in the contest. My DH is having a very bad day today and I am not sure what is really wrong except he may have some type of flu. The physical therapist we had this time suggested he do his exercises at home and that coming there was wasting our money. He said it is going to be a very long time for him to get better. I am not quite sure I agree with this prognosis--I got the feeling Gene is 78 and they just don't want to cope with his problem.

My friend, Lil, who lost the 200 lbs. on WW has gained maybe 10 lbs. so when we met by accident at the grocery store the other day we committed to walking. Today was our first day and we walked about 45 minutes. I also walked another 1/2 hour to and from her home. We decided that we will have to start at 6:00 from now on because of the hot weather. It really went quite fast and it was fun having a partner. It's too hot to walk on the treadmill in my garage so I will have to start going back to the gym.

Lil shared a simple dessert recipe with me:

1 small can of Libby's pure pumpkin-- You simply put this in a mixing bowl and add pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and I also added some nutmeg. You then add sweetner (I used Sweet and Low) she uses Splenda. After you get it to where you want it you then add a half tub of lite koolwhip or fat free koolwhip, I used the lite. You then whip it up and put it in the fridge. It's like zero points and it really tastes good.

Well I had better get moving. I am going bowling even though I am a little tired.

Take care all,
Anita

My leg seemed not to be getting better, so I saw the Nurse Practitioner, and she said I need to keep it up ALL WEEKEND.

Michelle--don't delay on the thyroid--it can make such a difference!Good to hear from you.

Hello Ladies,

Nita - that receipe sounds good. Do you freeze it or juts put back in the refrigerator? I think I would check with another physical therapist. I think that is great that you have someone to walk with. I can't believe the temp is already that hot and it still May. I think our high today was 91.

Cat - Hope your able to take it easy this weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Nita--
I agree you and DH should try another PT or maybe discuss it with the dr.

I know that the PT said my DMiL could not make any more progress, but they went to a new dr (because she didn't have a GENERAL dr, only heart, stomach, lungs etc. etc.) and he gave some new orders that really helped her gain a lot more independence.

Hello Ladies,

Just a quick hello. Went to a bridal shower today, ate way to much food and wine. Had lots of fun, talking about old times.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Hi Ladies,

1-Day -- I just put the pumpkin in the fridge. The 2nd time I made it it wasn't as good as the first. I guess you need to make sure it tastes good before adding the Coolwhip.

Well yesterday started out as a total disaster. I came out from taking a shower and I thought I heard my husband calling from his bathroom. It was him all right--he had fallen part-way out of his shower and was stuck. He couldn't move and I wasn't able to help him. It was 6:15 a.m. and I didn't want to call my neighbor so I called Gene's very best friend and he was about 45 min. away. Luckily he didn't hit his head so he stayed in bed most of the day. While I was away for about 3 hours today he almost had another episode and cut his hand on the walker. However, he didn't fall. Tomorrow I am going to call the Referral Desk to find out if his insurance will cover rehab at a rehab facility. He definitely needs something so he can become independent. This is a man who was an Ironworker most of his life and walked on beams on tall buildings. It is really very sad!

As far as my eating is concerned--I am trying to stay on target and while out shopping I passed up buying potato chips--it was buy one, get one free! I just knew if they were in the house I couldn't help but eat a whole bag.

Hopefully everyone is having a great day today while we here in Phoenix have 110 degree weather.

Take care all,
Anita

I know we are all concerned for peace on our thread.

If you go to //http://www.webshots.com/sp/peace_candle/ you can click on and "light" a virtual candle for peace. Be sure not to leave the site right away.

I went to a great writing workshop this afternoon--feel better in spite of my leg.

Everyone have a good week.

Hello ladies,

Nita - I hope you were able to get a referral for your husband. Can you talk to the doctor and see if he can prescribed something ( like so many visits to a rehab./physical theraphy center). I"m sure it has to be frustrating for him knowing what he use to be able to do and now not being able to do much. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Cat - I will visit that site you suggested.

Today was a busy day for me at work, but I'm going out to site visits on tuesday and on friday and i'm taking vacation on wed and thursday. Even though i'm woking two days, it feels like i'm on vacation, getting away from the office. Wednesday i'm planning on getting up early and powerwashing some of the cement that is on my house from when they poured the patio. It splatted up their and I was thinking it would come off easier than it is. Luckily I have a friend who is lending me her powerwasher.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Hi Ladies,

Just a short note to let you know my DH is in the hospital as we speak. He had another fall this morning and this time I called 911. The firemen came out quickly following by an ambulance. They ended up taking him the Emergency and now they have admitted him. They found that his kidneys had shut down and when I left to come home they were waiting for the urologist to try and put in the a catheter. Five other people had tried but were unsuccessful. Hopefully we can get this problem straightened out and then he has agreed to go to a skilled nursing facility for rehab. There was no way he could continue on the way he was doing. I just found out from the man's wife who came out Saturday to help him that he, too, is in the hospital. He is having bleeding problem and also needs dialosis. We decided not to tell the other about the hospital stays because Gene might think he caused his friend's problem. Hopefully that is not the case.

Take care ladies, and thank you for your prayers.

Anita

Hello ladies,

Nita - Keeping you and your husband in my prayers and also sending 's your way. I'm happy that he has agreed to go to a skilled nursing facility for rehab. Keep us posted when you can and please take care of yourself to.

Thin - I saw where you all were getting lots of rain. We sure could use some down here. We're suppose to get rain starting tomorrow night and of course I was taking a few days off to get things done inside and outside the house, but i won't complain to loud. I'm sure it takes awhile to get settled back in and back in a routine. Your so right about gas prices, I've noticed that they have come down a few cents the last few days. I think today I paid $ 2.06 a gallon and that is for the lowest octane.

Mooz, Cat, Hal, Mitchellez, - Hope to hear from you all too.

Nita--

Keeping you and DH in prayers. in addition to the long-trem problems, thzt business with the catheter must be difficult and painful. Sure hope the SNF can turn things around for him.

As for me, the venous scan shows I don't have a clot, just a hematoma (Isn't that a fancy word for bruise? must look). Anyway, I see the nurse practitioner Thur. Maybe she will let me go back to normal activities. Please!